broadband | 2024-01-30
At yesterday’s special board meeting, the FirstNet Authority Board took steps to expand network coverage and accelerate FirstNet’s transition to a full 5G network.
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is evolving and expanding FirstNet, the national public safety broadband network, through strategic network investments.
At yesterday’s special board meeting, the FirstNet Authority Board took steps to expand network coverage and accelerate FirstNet’s transition to a full 5G network. This network investment follows the completion of his initial five-year buildout by AT&T, FirstNet Authority’s network contractor. FirstNet currently serves 27,500 public safety agencies and has more than 5.5 million connections.
FirstNet Authority is making major investments in public safety and next-generation networks.
FirstNet Authority Board Chair Richard Carrizzo said:
Now that the initial buildout is complete, we are focused on continuing to grow and evolve our network based on the evolving needs of public safety.
The FirstNet Authority Board of Directors approved Resolution 117, “Evolving the Network,” at today’s Board meeting to move forward with the investment. This resolution instructs the FirstNet Authority administrator to take all necessary actions to enable the evolution of her FirstNet to network subscribers. Also today, the Board increased FirstNet Authority’s fiscal year 2024 investment budget to $547 million.
This investment is the next major milestone in FirstNet Authority’s efforts to expand and upgrade its public safety network.
Joe Wassel, Executive Director and CEO of FirstNet Authority, said:
We are accelerating the evolution of FirstNet’s 5G capabilities to ensure the network continues to deliver the innovation and reliability first responders need, now and in the future.
FirstNet Authority’s investments are made possible through a sustainable business model that enables organizations to continually improve and advance their networks. Today’s action follows previous investments by the FirstNet Authority in initial upgrades to the network core for 5G capabilities and expanded network coverage.
This investment aligns with the FirstNet Authority’s roadmap, which outlines key priorities and activities to evolve the public safety network. FirstNet Authority has established investment principles to further guide the investment decision-making process and ensure that investments benefit public safety activities.
